Choosing the right infant seat

The most frequently asked question by parents is, "Which is the Safest Child Safety Seat?"  The universally accepted principle is that the safest child restraint system is one that fits your child, your vehicle and your budget.  The universally accepted principle also adds that the safest car seat is one that you will use correctly every time without fail.  This guide attempts to illustrate some features that can make it easier for a parent to fit their child and their vehicle. 

Features

There are a number of features which can improve the safety of a carseat.  All current carseats meet existing government safety requirements and pass standard crash tests. Some go beyond. There are some important features to consider seat purchase.

• Rear-facing is safest for children, since frontal crashes are more frequent and severe than other crashes.  When rear-facing, the child is cradled by the whole seat.  Front-facing, all the forces are transferred to the child by the harness straps, and the head is still free to be thrown forward. 
• Infant Carriers with Bases.  Most infant carriers come with bases that can be installed separately.  The base is left in the vehicle, and the carrier is easily installed or removed from the base without taking the baby out of the harness. 
• Size.  Some seats are simply too large to fit in vehicles with small rear seating areas, especially when rear-facing. 
• Head Impact Protection.  Some carseats have an added layer of EPS foam or special plastic, similar to that used in bicycle helmets and protective gear. 
• LATCH.  LATCH is a new system that allows a carseat to be installed without seatbelts.  It should make it easier to get a proper fit in most vehicles.  This feature may be worth considering if you own a vehicle with the system, or may buy one in the future. 
• 5-point Harness.  Experts agree and studies confirm that this type of harness is safest.  Newer designs are easier to use.  The 5-point harness usually gives the best fit and reduces the chance of ejection.
• Front harness adjustments.  Some seats have a mechanism on the front of the carseat to adjust the tightness of the harness.  Experts recommend that the harness be snug, such that you can't pinch any of the strap away from the shoulder.  A tight harness can increase ride-down time, reduce the forward movement of the head in a crash and reduce the overall risk of injury. 
• Seat Belt Routing Path.  In addition to built-in locking clips, some carseats have seatbelt routing paths which may make for better installations in some vehicles.  Some seats also make it easier to actually route the belt from one side to the other with your hands. 
• Rear-facing tethers and Anti-Rebound Bars.  These features are found on a few infant and convertible seats.  Depending on the model, these features may improve crash performance, reduce the rebound of the rear-facing seat into the vehicle seat and increase the stability of the installation
• Adequate room for tall children.  Some carseats have higher slots than others.  When front-facing, a child's shoulders should be at or below the harness slots.  Some carseats have higher backs than others.  When front facing, the tips of a child's ears should not be above the top of the carseat to allow for whiplash protection. 
• "Wings" for sleeping and protection.  Some models have wide, padded wings on each side of the head.  These are not only helpful to keep a child's head upright while sleeping, but they can also help to keep the child's head from hitting hard objects during a rebound in a side or rear impact.